John B. Larson

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my fellow townspeople of my hometown of East Hartford. In what was a heartbreaking loss for them in the primary on September 11, I wanted to especially thank them for the number of thank-yous, the cards, and the media attention that I received from all of them from the bottom of their hearts. Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to rise and at the same time acknowledge someone who rarely gets thanked. Mr. Speaker, I think this is true of most Members of Congress. The people who often don't get the praise they richly deserve are the spouses. Having gone through several elections--having been here for what will be 28 years--I can't think of anyone who did more on behalf of me and my children and, frankly, the First Congressional District and this great country of ours than my wife, Leslie. Why do I say that? Like most spouses, Mr. Speaker, they do their job quietly. They do it without recognition. They do it because of their belief in the spouse who is running, but also to nurture their children. Oftentimes, they are viewed as an appendage. Oftentimes, they are the ones who don't get the attention, nor do they ever seek it. My wife is a master gardener, and she is incredible. She knows more about soil and soil content and the right kind of fertilizer, and what to do. Our backyard and front yard are ablossom with flowers and vegetables that come from her nurturing and caring. Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? None of those flowers or those plants or the gardening ever say thank you. They don't speak at all. What she revels in is how she is able to take them from seedling to flowering-- without a thank-you and without applause. It is the same way that she has stood by me over all these many years of public life and, also, our children, who she had to nurture and to explain after September 11 what was happening in Washington, D.C., and whether Dad was okay. It is spouses who give up so much of their lives on behalf of the elected officials that they represent. They do so willingly. They don't complain. They never seek the footlights. They never truly receive the thanks that they richly deserve. More than a master gardener, my wife, Leslie, has been there for me and my children and has done so persistently, even when things have been tough and even when there is unfair scrutiny and expectation. I don't think Congress does enough, Mr. Speaker, for our spouses. In fact, we seem to have done less and less over the 28 years that I have been here. There ought to be more recognition for the true sacrifice that they have made. I don't think there is a Member here in the body, married, unmarried, or whatnot, who can think of people who have sacrificed more than the loved ones who they represent. Mr. Speaker, I rise today--and I will submit remarks later for the Record--to thank my wife, Leslie Larson, for her continued support and love for me but, as importantly, for her children, the community she lives in, the great State, and, of course, this great Nation we all love.